Emsworth community rally to help fisherman

Emsworth’s Christmas lights were turned on by the Mayor of Havant, Councillor Faith Ponsonby. And the famous Lobster Pot Christmas Tree, which is designed to help fisherman in the area, was unveiled.

Individuals pay £45 for a pot. The pots are donated to fisherman to use next year.

Chantelle Williams, whose husband Peter is a fisherman, helped organise the tree.

She said: ‘Not many communities have a relationship with their local fisherman any more and for the second year people bought lobster pots.

‘It is a huge thing and it is great that there is great community spirit,

‘There are people who still believe in the industry and it is quite touching.’

Giles Babb, chairman of Emsworth Business Association, said: ‘It has been a great turnout and I think everybody is happy.

‘Christmas is a special time of year.

‘The lobster pot tree gets people involved and supports a local industry which is dying and that our area was built on.

‘Every year, the light switch-on seems to get bigger.’

Helen Bulbeck took her twins Ella and Noah, aged four.

She said: ‘This is the third year that we have come.

‘It sets the children up for Christmas and they are both really excited about it.’

Lisa Edgington said: ‘It was lovely. It was really festive and a place for the community to get together.

‘You see a lot of people that you know here.’

Laura and Mark Oswald-Cutler, attended with their two daughters, Freyja and Niamh.

Laura said: ‘We come every year and this is the start of Christmas for us and you see so many familiar faces.’